Last year I tried to propagate my plumeria tree and it didn’t go well. The cuttings rotted (I think due to being
left out in the rain - oops, my fault!). But now this summer the branch where I cut it off seems to have stem rot. It’s soft and squishy. It’s been making it’s way down the branch. I can cut it off at the base of the branch, but I’m worried it will happen again. How do I ensure that it won’t spread to the main trunk of the tree and kill it? My Dad propagated this tree from a cutting we got in Hawaii in 1999. He passed away this year and this tree means so much to me. Please help me save it!
Plumeria stem rot
- Thread starter carnoske
- Start date
Yes, do cut the rot off the base of the branch. Do that as soon as possible. Fungus will usually travel farther down the inside of a stem, than on the epidermis.
I think you will be alright if you do this, but I can't guarantee it. Depending on the exact fungus and the health of the plant the rot may just stop at the dead branch or continue into the main stem. I wouldn't put any compound on the pruning cut, just let it heal naturally.
Clearly, you over-wintered it very well last Winter. Did you keep it green as a houseplant, or did you let it go dormant indoors? In any case, repeat whatever you did.
I think you will be alright if you do this, but I can't guarantee it. Depending on the exact fungus and the health of the plant the rot may just stop at the dead branch or continue into the main stem. I wouldn't put any compound on the pruning cut, just let it heal naturally.
Clearly, you over-wintered it very well last Winter. Did you keep it green as a houseplant, or did you let it go dormant indoors? In any case, repeat whatever you did.
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